The Best Ways to See Asia: From Cruising to Backpacking and More

Asia is massive. There are 48 countries to choose from across four distinct regions: Central Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and South Asia. Plus each one is home to so much variety it's hard to know where to start. That's before you even think about the best way to see Asia.

The further you dig, there's almost more answers than questions. But if you've been asking yourself things like: what's the best way to travel around Asia, when and where to go, and how to get around, then read on.

Between luxury cruising Southeast Asia's huge riverine delta, backpacking in Southeast Asia's most popular destinations, or revving up for a motorbike tour in Vietnam – we've been there done that, and we're ready to pass on the hot travel tips!

Unless you're an Asian travel veteran, Southeast Asia and East Asia are the two best regions to kick off your love affair with Asia.

If you want it all, then don't go past the crown jewel region of Asia: Southeast Asia.

Here you'll experience buzzing cities packed with modern attractions, sacred temples and amazing food one day – before finding yourself at amazing surf beaches, exploring pristine islands and tropical jungles the next.

Of the 11 Southeast Asian countries, these are the most unmissable:

Cambodia is known for its ancient temples like Angkor Wat and its mix of French and Chinese culture but the sprawling Mekong Delta also begins here. A popular inclusion for any Southeast Asia itinerary, most tours include stops in Angkor Wat gateway Siem Reap and the capital, Phnom Penh. Looking for a unique Cambodian experience? Check out a Khmer cooking class or float high above Angkor Wat on a hot air balloon ride at dawn.

Bali is a hot favourite for culture, amazing food and stunning nature. From the lush jungle treehouses and rice terraces of Ubud, to the peeling surf-breaks at Canggu, Seminyak, Legian Beach and Kuta there are so many things to do in Bali. Stay put or make your way to endlessly 'grammable Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands.

A small country to the north of Thailand, loved for its food and wild, untouched landscapes. The capital Vientiane is an exciting mix of old French colonial and modern Asian architecture. Further north, the ancient capital of Luang Prabang is one of the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites in Southeast Asia.

Another popular foodie destination (and cruising hub), Malaysia ranks high on Asia adventures. A roti paratha from the street stalls in Kuala Lumpur will be seriously life changing, trust us!

Known for stunning islands (can you say Boracay?) and rich cultural experiences, the Philippines has zoomed to the top of many Asia travel itineraries thanks to an exciting mix of natural and urban experiences.

Food is like air to most Singaporeans. It's a pastime as much as it is way of life here and the island nation's famed hawker markets selling street food like satay and chilli crab are a melting pot telling the story of Singapore's rich cultural history.

It may have once been known as purely a stopover hotspot but now it's a destination in its own right, where high-end shopping, five-star resorts and theme parks sit alongside tropical gardens, historical buildings and a mix of cultures.

If you've ever seen The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio, you'll know about Thailand's cult backpacking status, earned in part by its beautiful beaches. Cheap, cheerful and full of varied explorations, no two days are the same. And though it's budget-friendly for everything (food, accommodation, transport) and everyone, you can still find luxury if you're looking for it. There are five-star hotels, all-inclusive resorts and spas in almost every destination, including Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok and more.

• Go island hopping

• Shop-til you drop in high-end malls or night markets;

• Visit the many ancient ruins and temples;

• Zip around on the back of a tuk tuk;

• Visit an elephant sanctuary (never ride them though!);

• Dance yourself silly at a full moon party in Phuket – a true bucket-list item.

Whizzing around the frenetic streets of Ho Chi Minh City on the back of a motorbike. Tick! Gliding peacefully on a junk cruise of Halong Bay. Tick! Or meandering through port city Hoi An's Ancient Town. Tick! Vietnam is a land of contrasts and beauty. North to south you'll find varying culture, climates and landscapes so you can spend months exploring.

A change up from the laidback vibe of Southeast Asia, countries in East Asia are typically more modern and urbanised. That doesn't mean they're any less appealing though. The below countries are brimming with good food, nature and plenty of culture to get your fix of East Asian experiences.

Where to start with Japan? Home to amazing food and diverse, quirky culture, it's easily one of the safest and most friendly destinations to travel in. Cities like Tokyo and Kyoto blend ancient with hyper-modern at every corner, and the landscape is as breathtaking as it is varied. Visit in winter for the fresh snow falls and hit up the surf in the south come summertime.

China is the big daddy of Asia: the second-largest country in land-mass with a population of close to 1.5 billion. Explorations through mainland China could take you months (even years), but if you want a taster before biting off the big chew, try the tiny island of Hong Kong or head to vibrant mainland metropolis Shanghai – each a popular destination for cruising.

It's the home of K-Pop and Korean Fried Chicken but any trip to South Korea will take you way beyond its most popular exports.

It might seem like a no brainer – hopping on a plane is just how you travel, right? But when there's so many countries packed together and plenty of other easy options, a flight is not always right. Read on for the best ways to get around whether you're keen to save those pennies or splash out.

Budget airlines, although not the first option for backpackers travelling within Asia, do offer relatively cheap flights both domestically and to other Asian destinations. The main benefit of flying within Southeast Asia is speed, thanks to short and frequent flights between some the big cities and popular holiday spots. Check airlines like AirAsia, Lion Air and Thai Airways for deals and routes.

For example, the flight from Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand, to Bangkok takes just over an hour. Plus, depending on which airline you choose and the time of year, you could have change from $100.

Best Asian countries for flying:

• Japan

• Singapore

• Malaysia

• Thailand

• Vietnam

• China

Whether it's aboard an overnight coach or a local one, buses are still one of the best ways to see Asia. Sure, you may be up for a solid trip, but it's all about the journey anyway!

A popular transport option for those backpacking Southeast Asia, you can easily hop on board a local bus for as little as US$1 to make your way between the cities and smaller country towns. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself sharing a seat with a chicken or a farmer's haul making its way to market.

Crossing land borders is also super simple on a bus, and there's a plethora of comfortable coaches departing from capital cities regularly.

If you like the idea of seeing everything from the wheels of a bus, without having to plan your own itinerary, Intrepid, G Adventures, Wendy Wu and more offer group tours throughout Asia.

Best countries for bus travel:

• Thailand

• Indonesia

• Cambodia

• Laos

• Vietnam

• The Philippines

• Japan

• China

Slow and steady wins the race for train travel in Asia. Unless you're on a bullet train (shinkansen) in Japan, of course, then super speedy is the champ. Famous around the world, the rail network in Japan is even so efficient that you could almost forgo a timetable.

Trains throughout Southeast Asia vary in quality (and aren't quite the same experience as a Japanese train) but are reliable and cheap, with options for day travel or overnight in sleeper cabins.

Best countries for train travel:

• Japan

• Thailand

• Vietnam

• Cambodia

• Laos

• Singapore

• South Korea

• China

What's better than an all-inclusive hotel in a beautiful location? An all-inclusive cruise that goes to multiple destinations! Relaxing, comfortable and low stress, an Asian cruise ticks all the boxes, and you can experience the culture of each destination with day trips and experiences in lively port cities like Shanghai, Incheon (South Korea), Penang (Malaysia) and Halong Bay (Vietnam). River cruises through Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Vietnam offer the chance to experience the beauty of Mekong Delta's vast beauty too.

Just decide between ocean cruise and river cruise before packing your bag and saying bon voyage. Still not sure? Here are our top picks for cruising in Southeast Asia and Asia.

Best of Japan by Sea

Mekong Discovery

Cruising Norththeast Asia

Indochina Delights Voyage

Timeless wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong

Mekong Moments

• Singapore

• Malaysia

• Thailand

• Indonesia

• China

• South Korea

• Japan

• Laos

• Cambodia

Backpacking Southeast Asia is a rite of passage that's incomparable to seeing it any other way. The chaos, the colour, the cultural experiences – it all feels so much more raw and real when you're living week to week, all your worldly belongings slung across your back. And no matter your vibe – the lively hostels of Ho Chi Minh or swinging between two palms as the sun sets on your Koh Phangan beach shack – there's something for any taste and budget.

If you want to protect that bank balance, backpacking is the cheapest way to travel around Asia. In fact, SE Asia is one of the most affordable destinations, full stop, making it an appealing place for those on a shoestring. From US$35-45 per day you can easily stay in hostels, eat your fill at street food markets and maybe even treat yourself to the odd extravagance like a Mai Tai or Changi beer.

Best countries for backpacking:

• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• The Philippines
• Malaysia
• Indonesia

Want to see it all but don't want the stress and hassle of doing it yourself. From 14 nights travelling through Thailand with G Adventures to eights days exploring Bali and Singapore, there's a tour for almost every taste and at every popular destination in Asia.

Best countries for tours:

• Thailand

• Vietnam

• Cambodia

• The Philippines

• Malaysia

• Indonesia

• Japan

• South Korea

• China

If efficiency is your game, then an all-inclusive holiday in Asia has your name on it. Pick your favourite place and find one that matches your travel style and speak with our experts for a tailor-made experience. Ready, set, holiday!

• Thailand

• Vietnam

• Indonesia

• The Philippines

• Cambodia

• Malaysia

• Singapore

• Japan

• China

Knowing when to go to Asia is almost as important as where to go. For Southeast Asia and East Asia, factors like monsoon, important dates (festivals and religious holidays) and peak season should be considered.

Across most of the region, seasons are split between rainy season (May–Oct/Nov) and dry season (Dec–April) so it pays to know. 

How long is a piece of string? It really depends on your destination, budget and the types of experiences you prefer. For luxury all-inclusive holidays, you can book anything from a few nights to a week or two.

If you prefer to go slow or savour the culture as you backpack, anywhere from one month to three months will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in each destination. The affordability of backpacking also lends itself well to longer trips.

• Pack light – backpacking or not, lugging heavy luggage on and off land transport, through island destinations, jungle retreats or into small cruise cabins is no fun. Space is at a premium on cruise ships too so make sure to check the per passenger limits for luggage before you go.

• Don't drink the tap water – bottled water is the safest option while travelling through Southeast Asia so stick to that to stay well.

• Check the visa requirements for each country before you go, especially if you plan on crossing land borders. 

• For land travel, make sure to have cash and local currency for fees; buy enough snacks and water prior to your journey as some train and bus journeys can be up to 12 hours and opt for transport with toilet facilities. You can also book tickets online for a lot of routes, which can save stress and research while you're on the ground.

• Book appropriate travel insurance! Always a must–have, particularly for extended trips throughout Asia.

• Pack comfortably and appropriately – think about the activities you'll be undertaking and make sure you've packed enough clothes to get you through a few days before having to wash, as not all places will have facilities.